Fermentation of tobacco



Patented, June 30, 1531 UNITED STATES (PAT-TENT. OFFICE KARL VIIERLING,FLUDWIGSHAIENsON-THE-REINE, GERMANY, ASSIGNOB TO I. G.

FABIBENINDUSTBJE' AK'I'IENGEBEILSCEAFT, OI FRANKI'OM-ON-THE-IAIN, GER-MANY, A OORPORATION OI GERMANY FEBMENTATION OI TOBACCO J No Drawing.Application filed February 17, 1828, Serial No. 255,188, and in GermanyFebruary 84, 1927.

The present invention relates to the fermentation of tobacco.

In order to obtain a rapid and powerful fermentation of tobacco variousmethods 8 have been adopted, as for example the addition of cultures ofsuitable bacteria or the spraylngof the leaves to be fermented withnutritive solutions in order to strengthen the activity of thefermenting bacteria yet 10 present on the leaves.

II have found that a special advantage in the fermentation andconsiderable improvements in the quality'of the resulting tobacco areobtained by providing for a blifier mixture maintaining a'hydrogen-ionconcentration which is optimalfor the life andthe activity of thebacteria and if necessary also for nutritive material for the saidmicroorganisms. The efiect of the treatment of ing for the o timailhydrogen-ion concen-' 'tration .in the eginning and maintaining itduring the whole process of fermentation often allows of entirelydispensing with the addition ofnutritive matter, such as urea or saltsthereof or other suitable materials.

The buffer solutions are preferably so chosen as to. deliver ahydrogen-ion concentration of about from pH=5 to pH=6, which slightlyacid range has been found most eflective in fermenting the mostdifferent sorts of tobacco. 'Suitable' buffer mixtures improvin thefermentation are, for example, we

solutions of organic acids, such as citric or .lactic acid containinginorganic salts of the aforesaid acids, such as the alkali metal orammonium salts, or mixtures of inorganic acids, such as .boric orphosphoric acid or lustrated by the following example but the bundles oftobacco-leaves.

the tobacco-leaves with such solutions of buffer mixtures which arecapable of providv my hand.

invention is not restricted to the example. The parts are by weight.

phosphate and 1 part of (ii-potassium phosphate in 100 parts of water.The s rinkled leaves are left for one day'so that t ll tion is allowedto thoroughl penetrate the ermentation is then effected in the usualmanner and its progress may be controlled with the aid of a thermometer.

What I claim is:

1. A process of fermenting: tobacco which mprises treatingtobacco-leaves with a solution' of a bufier mixture capable of producinga hydrogen-ion concentration of about from pH=5 to pH=6 during thefermentation.

' 2. A process of fermenting tobacco which comprises sprayingtobacco-leaves with a solution of 9 parts of mono-potassium phos-v phateand 1 part of di-potassium phosphate. In testimony whereo I havehereunto-set KARL IERLIN I e soluj

